California Community Colleges (CCC) will be celebrating the 7th annual Undocumented Student Action Week (USAW) from Oct. 16 to 20, giving recognition to the undocumented students that study in a CCC. Delta will be celebrating the week in a way unique to the Stockton community.
“We will be watching A Million Miles Away, which is about our local astronaut hero Jose Fernandez,” said dean of student services Edward Aguilar. “Not every community teams up with United Farm Workers (UFW) as well, so we are excited to have them come and work with students for free.”
Other events that will be held include a butterfly arts and crafts event, a seminar on mental health awareness for undocumented students, and a monarch butterfly canvas painting event.
Aguilar hopes that USAW can bring the Stockton community together.
“We work with middle schools in the area to bring them in and show them what Delta is all about,” said Aguilar. “We want the Dreamer Center to be a place to educate and support, as well as a safe space where students can grab a snack and hang out.”
CCCs enroll the largest population of undocumented students of any segment of public higher education, according to the Academic Senate for California Community Colleges website. “USAW is a statewide initiative to show support for the student population,” said Aguilar.
USAW is also a time for allies of undocumented students to learn about how to create a safer and more inclusive environment.
The Higher Education Legal Services (HELS) Project is a campaign organized by a collaboration between CCC, the Foundation for California Community Colleges, and the California Department of Social Services (CDSS). The goal is to give undocumented students accessible legal services regardless of immigration status. Delta partners with HELS, as well as UFW in order to provide legal help to students.
“Delta College offers legal services in association with UFW,” said Basic Needs Center project manager Ana Villegas. “The attorney Paloma Contreras meets with students to discuss their legal situation.”
Legal services will be crucial for undocumented students now more than ever. On Sept. 13, Texas District Judge Andrew Hanen ruled that the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) Program violates federal law. Judge Hanen is the same judge who is the same judge who declined the creation of new DACA applicants last year.
CCC will host daily webinars that focus on helping undocumented students. The webinars focus on legal and financial help for undocumented students, such as creating student informed policy with undocumented students and how to advocate positive policy for undocumented students.
Attorney Contreras is available the second and fourth Wednesday of every month at the Dreamer Success Center.